Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has been contributing substantially to the persistent feud between the Executive and the Legislature. This, I can say, with all authority. A concrete pointer to this effect emerged during the events leading to the president’s visit to Chad for the inauguration of President Idris Derby on Monday. I need to meticulously explain what happened for Nigerians to understand why I came to this conclusion on Kyari. According to a very competent source in the Presidency, few days to his departure, Buhari sent a message to the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to each nominate a lawmaker to accompany him on the trip to Chad.

The source said Saraki nominated Senator Baba Kaka Garbai representing Borno Central while Dogara nominated Hon. Mohammed Tahir Monguno. The president evidently approved these nominations as seen from the pre-departure press statement issued by the Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina. In it, Adesina specifically listed Garbai and Monguno as the lawmakers on the trip to Chad. The statement was also aired on the Nigerian Television Network news two days before the departure. But surprisingly, no contact was made with Garbai and Monguno on departure plans. At the last minute, mighty Kyari simply threw away the president’s approval and brought in Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Hon Nkiru Onyejeocha for the trip to Chad. Of course, Saraki and Dogara were shocked. I was reliably informed that, in the interest of harmonious working relationship with the president, Saraki and Dogara allowed the infraction to go unchallenged.



Those who know the president’s Chief of Staff say this has always been his style. He is persistently fueling the crisis between the Executive and the Legislature. Some even say that he has seized Aso Rock from Buhari. Even when President Buhari is around, most ministers report to this colossal Chief of Staff. Another source in the office of the Vice President remarked that when the president travels out, Kyari becomes the ‘acting president’. This Chief of Staff, unmistakably, loves to play the role of a kingmaker always, at all levels. He heads the Aso Rock cabal. The Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachir David Lawal is the cabal’s deputy leader. Another key member is Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami. When it comes to his native Borno State, Kyari loves to decide who gets what, when and how, at all times.

No wonder, he single-handedly gave the ministerial slot of Borno State to Mustapha Shehuri, Minister of State, Power. Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima was left gasping for breath. At the national level, Kyari solely picked seven of the ministers in Buhari’s cabinet; Shehuri inclusive. Often, he imposes his cronies on Buhari. Many will find it very interesting to know that Kyari was the Best Man of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, during his wedding, years back. So, when I said that Kyari brought his cronies into the cabinet, readers can understand what I mean.

Kyari’s other cronies in the cabinet are Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelemah; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment: Aisha Abubakar, Minister of Budget and Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajia Khadija Bukar Ibrahim.

The Chief of Staff has also been throwing his weight around in the appointment of permanent secretaries. Jalal Arabi, Permanent Secretary, State House; Louis Edozien, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of power; Mahmoud Isa Dutse, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and the Head of service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita were “appointed” by this powerful chief of staff. In those days, Dutse was Kyari’s colleague on the board of UBA. Those who know Dutse’s story say he has no business remaining in the service because of his age. He claims to be less than 60 years but facts available are to the contrary.

It is thought-provoking to note that Senator Danjuma Goje, who is now 64 years old, was Dutse’s classmate at Ahmadu Bello University. It seems Dutse has been economical with his true age. Thanks to powerful Kyari, he is still in service. The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Elias N. Mbam also got his reappointment, courtesy of Kyari.

At the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Kyari did not only impose Maikanti Kacalla Baru as the Group Managing Director (GMD), he also ‘appointed’ himself on the Board. What’s the business of Kyari on the Board of NNPC? Very simple: It is to protect his interest in the NNPC. The truth is that Kyari is the one now running NNPC through his proxy, Baru.

This cabal, led by Kyari, has taken so many selfish actions, to the detriment of the nation. They are responsible for the parochial appointments of Buhari; an action that has greatly divided the nation. They are responsible for all the court cases against Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu. They are also largely responsible for the economic woes of the country, as they claim to know more than every other person, when it comes to economic issues. In real terms, they are behind the warped economic policies of this administration. If this country is going to move forward, real patriots must stand up against this cabal in the Presidency. This is the only way forward for this great country. May Allah continue to protect our great nation against this cabal as their actions are causing a lot of acrimony.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/13/the-frightening-influence-of-abba-kyari-in-aso-rock/

wen a man reduced governance to family affair, den impunity n abuse of power becomes d oda of d day.
by d time buari dullard's family members ar through with dis con3, somalia will be more develope dan nigeria.

Tunde Idiagbon was in charge then, and now the Chief of Staff is in charge, and maybe you would be in charge some day.
Bottom line is that some other person aside PMB must be incharge at all times.

I don't want to believe dis write-up. I mean c'mon u accuse him of bias appointment and u also list peepz from d EASTERN part whom he pushed to power. It don't add up

okayyy...i never heard of him before.....